The ‘Redcar | Cleveland Ambassadors’ programme has achieved a major milestone, after signing up its 500th ambassador – and a ‘cheers’ to that!
Launched in June 2018 at Redcar Racecourse, the Ambassador programme brings together, under one strong team, people who want to do their bit to boost investment and growth in Redcar and Cleveland.
Ambassadors share positive place news on social media, ‘talk-up’ Redcar and Cleveland amongst their networks – business, family or friends; to raise the profile, change perceptions and inspire confidence in our place; with the ultimate aim of this increased confidence bringing more business, tourism and housing investment.
The 500th Ambassador to join the team is Redcar-born Peter Powell, Co-Owner of Talking Tides Brew Co – a local brewer of craft beer in Redcar and Saltburn.
Talking Tides’ beers are now stocked in bars across Redcar and Cleveland, from the Brass Money in Guisborough to Signals in Saltburn. Talking Tides brews are also sold across the North East and North West, and the business has enjoyed steady growth since launching last December.
Peter has returned from living in Manchester to offer something different to local craft beer drinkers, and he’s excited about the projects and developments happening in the area, expressing how he wants to be part of Redcar and Cleveland’s positive momentum, through the ambassador programme.
Here’s what Peter had to say:
Since moving to and settling in Manchester, I have seen the excitement which independent craft beer and other independent traders can bring to an area.
In 2010 Altrincham had the highest proportion of shops lying empty in the country, 10 years on it was, and still is, seen as the best place to live in the country. A lot of that was down to introducing independent traders and the regeneration of the market hall there.
I believe that by focusing on our local, independent traders we can do the same for our area and what better way to help out than setting up our first ever craft brewery! Look at Signals in Saltburn, Rita’s Pantry in Redcar and The Wynd in Marske – all owned by passionate locals who love beer and the area.
We’ve sold our beer to all of them and can’t wait to help them grow as they have helped us, as well as everywhere else in Teesside who have stocked Talking Tides beer already.
Covid really hit home hard to look at what you’ve got and make the most of it – just look at our coastline, our ice cream and our hills… we have it all and we should tell the world how great it is – that’s why I wanted to be part of the ambassador programme, and to be the 500th member is fantastic!
Hopefully by creating world class craft beer with strong links to the area we’ll do our bit, and I have to say a massive thanks to everyone who has supported us so far!
Redcar | Cleveland Place Marketing Manager, Richard Baker, said:
“I’d like to welcome Peter as the 500th Ambassador to join our ever-growing programme. Small businesses are the lifeblood of any place, so it’s great to see Talking Tides Brew Co. doing so well since they launched at the end of last year. We look forward to working with Peter and the Talking Tides team to keep on promoting our wonderful place to the world!”
Vice Chair of Redcar | Cleveland Place Board, Andrew Fulton said:
“What started as a project is now a sustainable programme, and hitting this major milestone, of 500 ambassadors, demonstrates this. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our ambassadors for getting us to this milestone and for being part of a fantastic team.”
The Redcar | Cleveland Ambassador programme is the largest signed up network in the Tees Valley. By being part of the programme, ambassadors share the benefits of a collective effort to promote the place, but also get some direct benefits:
- Invitations to ambassador events; hearing from high profile speakers, getting exclusive news and information and cross-sector networking opportunities.
- Special features on social media and the Redcar | Cleveland place website.
- Inclusion in promotions.
- Access to our monthly newsletter.
- And it’s all free of charge!